We are Having Hard Times - What We Can Do

Cut any unnecessary spending at the state level. Surely there are some programs that can still be trimmed. Gasoline tax in Virginia is 12 cents lower per gallon than in West Virginia. With all the driving our citizens have to do to get to work and the store, lowering this tax would make it easier on individuals and businesses.

State law now prohibits schools from buying produce from local farms. I simply don't get that, and will see how we can change this. Why in the world would you force your schools to by apples from Oregon when we grow them right here.

We need better infrastructure to attract more business. Most startups are small, but they require high-speed internet, good cellphone coverage, and better roads.

Are Special Interests in Our Interest

I have taken no money from special interests. They send you forms with questions that are so far out that i just toss them in the trash. I'm a Democrat and my wife of 35 years is a Republican. I have always worked with both sides in my private and public life and accomplished many goals in spite of any political differences. West Virginians are intelligent and hard-working, anything we can do at the State level to give them more opportunities will enable them to make their lives even better.

I would like to see these changes

I hear a lot from the older generation about the limitations of the Homestead Act, which offers a break on real-estate taxes for those of retirement age. I have known some older folks who ended up having to sell their land because they couldn't afford their property taxes. We should fix this.

Virginia is ranked in the top five of business friendly states. West Virginia is ranked in the bottom five. Business taxes, business licensing paperwork, and other roadblocks make West Virginia an unnattractive state to many businesses. We need to change these laws so we can attract more jobs to the state. We all know how eager West Virginians are to work, we just need to offer more opportunities.